Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Pretreatment with Shenxiong Drop Pill induces AQP4-mediated neuroprotective effect on middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats

Shuo-guo Jin¹, Ji-li Deng², Ze-ran Chen³, Fang Yang¹, Mei-jun Liu¹, Hong-hui Sun¹, Ning-jing Ran¹, Li Zhang⁴, Dong-dong Yang¹, Wei-yin Chen¹

¹Neurology Department, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan Province; ²Department of Traditional Chinese Medical, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400037; ³School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province; ⁴Department of Internal Medicine No. 1, Chengdu Shuangliu District Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chengdu, 610200, Sichuan Province, PR China.

For correspondence:- Wei-yin Chen Email: chenwydoctor@sina.com Tel:+862887783362

Accepted: 24 July 2020 Published: 31 August 2020

Citation: Jin S, Deng J, Chen Z, Yang F, Liu M, Sun H, et al. Pretreatment with Shenxiong Drop Pill induces AQP4-mediated neuroprotective effect on middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. Trop J Pharm Res 2020; 19(8):1715-1722 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v19i8.21

© 2020 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the neuroprotective effect of Shenxiong Drop Pill (SXDP) pretreatment on rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats, and the mechanism involved.

Methods: Ninety-nine SD rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups: control group, MCAO group, sham-operated group and SXDP group. The MCAO model was established via thread occlusion. Rats in the SXDP group was administered SXDP 7 days before induction of MCAO. Neurological deficit score (NDS) was determined using Bederson's neurological behavioral scoring method, while cerebral infarction volume was measured using TTC staining. Integrated optical density (IOD) of Nissl Body was evaluated via Nissl staining. Brain water content was measured using dry-wet method. The expression level of AQP4 in brain tissues was determined using immunocytochemistry.

Results: The SXDP treatment resulted in significant reduction in NDS, marked improvement in IOD of Nissl Body, and significant reductions in cerebral infarction volume, brain water content, and expression level of AQP4, relative to control (p< 0.05).

Conclusion: These results suggest that SXDP pretreatment exerts neuroprotective effect against cerebral ischemia in rats by decreasing in cerebral edema through a mechanism involving downregulation of the expression of AQP4.

Keywords: Middle cerebral artery occlusion, Cerebral ischemia, Aquaporins-4, Cerebral edema, Neuroprotection